A complete ceasefire in Ukraine could be achieved within “a couple of weeks,” according to Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump. Witkoff also indicated that sanctions imposed by Washington on Russia might be eased once an agreement is secured. His comments come after a March 18 phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he described as “epic” and “transformational.”

The phone call between Trump and Putin has been hailed as a major step toward ending the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. According to Witkoff, the two leaders had a highly productive discussion, during which they agreed on several key measures aimed at de-escalating hostilities. He emphasized that both presidents were “in sync” and focused on achieving tangible results.

“President Trump and President Putin were in sync with one another, the call was outcome-oriented,” Witkoff stated, underscoring the significance of their engagement.

One of the most immediate outcomes of the call was a mutual agreement to cease attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. The parties also agreed to work toward establishing a Black Sea moratorium, which would prohibit strikes on naval vessels and freighters carrying essential commodities such as grain. These measures, if successfully implemented, would significantly reduce hostilities and pave the way for a broader ceasefire agreement.

While initial agreements have been reached, Witkoff acknowledged that a full ceasefire remains a complex undertaking. “There is a 2,000-kilometer border, there’s [Russia’s] Kursk [Region], and there’s a lot of details that go into that,” he noted. The complexities of the battlefield situation, including territorial disputes and entrenched military positions, pose challenges that will require further negotiations.

Despite these difficulties, Witkoff expressed optimism about the prospects of achieving a complete halt to hostilities. He stated that more progress was made on March 18 than in the “last three and a half years,” indicating that the momentum for peace has gained unprecedented traction. This progress is largely attributed to the “trust-building” efforts between the two sides, which have fostered a cooperative environment for negotiations.

Further adding to the optimism, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses had shot down their own drones that were en route to Ukrainian energy infrastructure. This action was reportedly taken in compliance with an order to halt such attacks overnight, reinforcing the perception that Moscow is serious about adhering to the ceasefire process.

“I tend to believe that President Putin is operating in good faith,” Witkoff told Bloomberg TV. His remarks suggest that Washington sees Russia’s recent actions as a genuine attempt to de-escalate the conflict, rather than a strategic maneuver.

A key issue that remains unresolved is the question of economic sanctions. While Trump and Putin did not discuss sanctions in their recent conversation, Witkoff suggested that their removal could become part of the broader peace negotiations. “Once a ceasefire in Ukraine takes hold, everything else will be a detail: sanction relief and all the other things that go with a full-on peace treaty,” he predicted.

Sanctions relief would represent a significant shift in US policy, which has remained rigidly opposed to any softening of economic restrictions on Moscow. However, with Trump now leading peace efforts, there is speculation that the White House may reconsider its stance if it leads to a durable resolution of the conflict.

As negotiations progress, speculation is mounting about a possible in-person meeting between Trump and Putin. According to Witkoff, such a meeting is “likely to happen,” with Saudi Arabia emerging as a potential host nation.

Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a key diplomatic player in recent years, mediating between rival states and facilitating peace efforts. Hosting a Trump-Putin summit would further cement its role as a global broker of stability. It would also provide a neutral ground for more detailed discussions on implementing the ceasefire, as well as broader geopolitical issues such as economic cooperation and NATO-Russia relations.

If the meeting takes place, it could mark a turning point in US-Russia relations, which have been fraught with tension since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Trump’s previous term in office was characterized by attempts to establish closer ties with Moscow, a policy approach that sharply contrasts with that of the Biden administration, which adopted a hardline stance against Russia.

While the potential ceasefire is being welcomed in many quarters, it also raises questions about its impact on Ukraine’s position in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly insisted that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, with Trump’s administration pushing for a swift resolution, Kyiv may find itself under pressure to make concessions in order to secure peace.

European nations, particularly those within NATO, will also be closely monitoring developments. Many EU leaders have expressed skepticism about Trump’s approach to diplomacy with Russia, fearing that a ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington and Moscow could sideline Ukrainian interests.

However, there is also recognition that a cessation of hostilities could alleviate the economic and humanitarian toll of the war. Energy markets have been severely disrupted by the conflict, with global food supplies also impacted due to Ukraine’s role as a major grain exporter. A ceasefire could restore stability to these sectors, benefiting economies worldwide.

The prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks marks a dramatic shift in the trajectory of the war. Trump’s engagement with Putin, along with efforts by diplomatic teams set to meet in Saudi Arabia, signal that a breakthrough may be on the horizon.

If successful, this development could not only bring much-needed relief to the war-torn region but also reshape US-Russia relations. It remains to be seen how Ukraine, NATO, and the European Union will respond to this evolving situation. However, for now, the focus is on ensuring that the agreements reached between Trump and Putin translate into concrete action on the ground.

As the world watches closely, the coming weeks will determine whether this diplomatic push results in a lasting peace-or if it becomes yet another stalled effort in the complex web of international negotiations surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings